

Cairo

Best time to go
The best time to visit is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler, but still pleasantly warm across the country.
JTA holidays, Ratehawk, Back Office, Major Travel, Insight Vacations, Newmarket
Hotels with view of pyramids:
Marriott Mena House in Giza-
Beautiful views of the pyramids- closest to the entrance.
Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa
You’ll love lounging by the pool with the Great Pyramids as your backdrop!
Good choice for a reasonably priced hotel in close proximity to the pyramids. The view of the Giza Complex from the rooftop terrace is incredible
Excellent views from the rooftop terrace! You’ll enjoy breakfast while overlooking the Giza Complex, and you can come back in the evenings to catch the view of the light show from the roof.
For River Nile View
Sonesta St. George
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
Grand Nile Tower Hotel
Kempinski Nile Hotel
Sofitel Cairo Nile
The Nile Ritz Carlton
Other hotels in Cairo tried and tested
Steigenberger Hotel Tahir
Barcelo Cairo Pyramids
Stegienberger Pyramids
Most popular supplier(s) to use
Recommended Resorts:

River Nile Cruise with dinner and show
Guided Tour To Alexandria From Cairo
Egyptian Museum Citadel and Khan Khalili Bazaar
Add on 3 night Nile Cruise
Quad Biking
Giza Pyramids tour, all inclusive, camel ride, entrance, museum, Saqqara
Felucca boat ride on Nile
Day Trips or Multi-city trips
Dahshur, Saqqara, & Memphis
The pyramids of Dahshur are less crowded and even older than the Pyramids of Giza. You can explore the inner chambers which are supposed to be much more exciting than going inside the Giza Pyramids.
Saqqara is home to the step pyramid of Djoser – the oldest pyramid. Memphis was the original capital city of Egypt and now has an open air museum.
Valley of Whales and Wadi Rayan
Day trip to Luxor

Must do activities/excursions
Insider tips
✅ Hire a guide and driver- your day will go far smoother, you will walk less, learn more and won’t get irritated by the multiple vendors trying to sell you things or take your pictures for tips.
✅ Take the camel ride from the camel market - the views from this ride are amazing and the camel boys will hook you up with the most amazing pictures.
✅ You can gain entry to the pyramids for a further fee but note it’s crazy hot and claustrophobic in there (I don’t recommend it).
✅ Reply ‘No thank you.’ When approached by vendors, if you say, ‘I’ll think about it,” or “later,” you will be followed around until you buy something.
✅ Do NOT take the bus trip from Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh or Luxor. It is hot, tiring and rushed. By the time you get to the pyramids, you won’t be in the mood. It’s the cheaper option but it is by no means the better option. The flight is only 50 mins to 1 hour and you only need to be at the airport 1.5 hours before.
✅ Get lunch/dinner at Abou Shakra- it is opposite the sphinx and has the best views of the pyramid right from the restaurant and the food was delicious!
✅ Go for the early session, it is quieter and less hot. The pyramids are open from 8am-4pm in the colder months and 7-6pm in the warmer months.
✅ Do not buy any souvenirs, papyrus etc at the pyramids itself. These are of poor quality and fake.
✅ Wear comfortable shoes (no sandals, heels or flip flops- your feet will get filthy.
✅ Dress code: dress modestly, no low cut, tight or short clothing for both men and women. Advise you to bring sun hats and sun glasses.
✅ If you’re staying for a night in Cairo, highly recommend the night light show at the pyramids- if you want to see it for free 🙈 stay at one of the pyramid view hotels or eat at Pizza Hut/Abou Shakra for dinner.
✅ ‘Baksheesh’, as in tips, these are pretty much expected everywhere in Egypt for everything. Brits, I suggest you change your notes in for pound coins for the smaller tips. Tipping in Egyptian pounds, you rarely get notes smaller than £50 egp (£2).
✅ You can do this solo without a guide and if you do decide to do that, getting an Uber to the pyramids would be your best bet.